Tree lighting signals start of holiday season

The Thanksgiving-Christmas season is unofficially underway following the Hospice of San Joaquin tree-lighting ceremony Tuesday night at the corner of Pacific and Yokuts avenues.

For many Stockton-area residents, illumination of the Tree of Lights marks the holidays' starting point.

The PG&E switch lighting up the giant tree was flipped by the family of walnut grower Raymon "Ray" Vigil, who died Aug. 30 in the care of Hospice. He was 87.

A record-breaking crowd of more than 500 people gathered at the base and let out a collective "ahhhh" when the tree was lit up.

Motorists driving up and down Pacific Avenue will have 1,600 multicolored lights to enjoy until the end of the year.

"The darkness won't stop this tree from shining. The darkness is trumped by light," said Monsignor Harmon Skillin, a retired Catholic priest with the Diocese of Stockton, during his invocation. The traditional ceremony also featured choral music by The Delta Singers. Those in attendance sipped hot cider and enjoyed free cookies while listening to traditional Christmas carols.

The event is an important annual fundraiser for Hospice, a not-for-profit organization devoted to providing medical care, counseling and support to terminally ill patients and their families.

Each light on the tree was purchased by a donor who wants to remember a loved one. The Christmas tree bulbs range in price from a $5 red light to $1,000 for the star at the top of the tree.

Names of honorees and donors also are placed on a marquee at the base of the tree through Dec. 31.

"There are amazing people with Hospice who helped Mom when she needed help to care for my dad," said Donna Vigil, a member of Ray Vigil's extended family. "The Hospice team fit like family."

Unique to this year is a long silver garland wrapped repeatedly around the towering evergreen to represent the 25th anniversary of the Tree of Lights.

Following tradition, a first-grader from Annunciation School was the cover artist for the tree-lighting program. Six-year-old Ben Borland was honored along with his teacher, Paula Ross.